Dr. Albert Bourla, who started his career in Pfizer as a technical director 25 years ago, held various positions before assuming the COO role from the beginning of this year. Under his leadership within four years, the Pfizer’s oncology business tripled in size and the vaccines business grew by 50%. Albert is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and holds a Ph.D. in the Biotechnology of Reproduction from the Veterinary School of Aristotle University.
The Scottish-born pharma giant head received a 61% pay hike last year with a condition of staying with the company until next March. This amounted to a total payment of $27.9 million, thus making Read as one of the highest paid CEOs of S&P 500 companies.
It is worth noting that President Donald Trump criticized Pfizer and other pharma companies for raising the drug prices in July this year. Responding to the criticism, Read spoke to Trump and deferred the planned increases of drug price hikes.
Shares of Pfizer reached a new 52-week high ($44.52) on Monday’s trading and closed at $44.27, up 0.45%. The stock has gained 22% so far this year and 24% in the past one year.